Pastor Otha Boyd Sr.

Pastor Otha Boyd, Sr., 77, transitioned to his heavenly home at 12:22 pm on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Pastor Boyd, was affectionately known as “Big O”, was born July 7, 1945 in Inverness, Mississippi to Roosevelt, Sr. and Gracie (Dixon) Boyd. He married the love of his life, Terri Carr on November 20, 1983 in Peoria, Illinois. Pastor Boyd had an incredible work ethic. He was the Pastor of Love Joy C.O.G.I.C. for over 19 years and Assistant Superintendent of Greater New Life District. He was a former Police Officer in Farmington, IL and also a former Auxiliary Mounted Deputy Officer with Peoria County known as “The Posse”. Pastor Boyd worked at Caterpillar and was the 1st Black Grievance Chairman there, retiring after over 30 years of service. He owned and operated both O’s Arena Horse Stables in Hannah City, IL and Big O’s Barbeque Restaurant in Peoria, IL for many years. Pastor Boyd was an award winning weight lifter earning many titles over the years. Pastor leaves to cherish his most precious memory his wife of 40 years of marriage, Lady Terri Boyd of Peoria, IL; two sons, Otha (Valencia) Boyd, Jr. of Fresno, CA and Othello (Twinette) Jones of Nashville, TN; four daughters, Oletha Boyd and Sandra Malone both of Peoria, IL, Predina Boyd of Indianapolis, IN and Shirley (Percy) Anderson-Bentley of Missouri City, TX; three brothers, Roosevelt Boyd, Jr. and Curtis (Patricia) Boyd both of Indianola, MS and Billy Boyd of Alamogordo, NM; seven sisters, Vancie Dixon, Martha Dixon, Betty Dixon and Jeanette (Reggie) Jackson all of Peoria, IL, Mary Boyd Pates of Chicago, IL, Annette Boyd and Dorothy Boyd Role both of Kenosha, WI; an honorary son, Michael (Val) Teague of Peoria, IL; a grandson whom he helped raise, Armon Allen of Peoria, IL; also twelve more grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and friends who loved him. He is preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be held at Love Joy C.O.G.I.C. 1500 South Easton Ave, Peoria, IL at 11 am on Friday, June 9, 2023 with a visitation two-hours prior beginning at 9 am. Bishop Edwin Walker of the Northern Illinois Jurisdiction, Chicago, IL will officiate and Pastor Boyd’s nephew, Pastor Kyle Pernell of The Free Church, Sikeston, MO will bring the Eulogy. Pastor Boyd will be laid to rest at Lutheran Cemetery. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com.

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Pastor Otha Boyd Sr.

July 7, 1945 - May 23, 2023